jrharbort

A Hatsune Miku fan since December 2007, jrharbort joined MikuFan as the Head Writer in October 2011. Follow on Twitter at @jrharbort.

Apr 112021
 

The Snow Miku 2022 art contest has one more week to go before the entry deadline on April 19th, 2021 @ 5:00 PM JST, so if you haven’t completed and submitted your entry yet, then don’t delay any longer! Check out the contest entry details below if you want to get your entry in before the deadline.

The theme for 2022 is “The Sea in the image of a Wintery Hokkaido“. This is a rather difficult theme to think of ideas for since the sea is not usually something that comes to mind when you think of the snow! It might help to check out the entry list if you need help imagining how to make this theme work.

Please be sure to use the following templates in your entries. Some modifications of these templates are allowed (details below): JPG Template, PNG Template

Target Characters

Snow Miku, Rabbit Yukine

Entry Eligibility

Any applicants registered to piapro.jp, and agree to the application method and rules of entry.

File Format

File format: JPG or PNG
Color mode: RGB
Resolution: 350dpi
License terms: Please post without licensing terms

Example of incorrect and correct license setting on Piapro submission.

Allowed & Unallowed Edits

  • You can redraw Snow Miku’s eyes and pose.
  • You can add patterns to Yukine, and change the shape of his tail and ears.
  • Do not erase or move the copyright text on the template.
  • Do not delete, resize or move any elements of the template.
  • Do not change the resolution of the template.

Additional Remarks

  • You can post any number of works made by yourself.
  • Please design your entry with the theme “The Sea in the image of a Wintery Hokkaido“.
  • Draw a design for both Snow Miku and Rabbit Yukine.
  • Put snowflakes in the design.

Precautions

  • Be sure to use the provided templates for drawing your entry: JPG Template, PNG Template
  • Please note that some details might be difficult to recreate in 3D for use in figures, so some design elements may be omitted or require modification.
  • Please avoid using large numbers of patterns, colors, shapes or designs that would be too difficult to be 3-dimensionalized into a figure.
  • Please be sure to lock the tags on your entry.
  • Make sure your entry contains the tag “2022年雪ミク衣装”. This tag should be automatically applied if you use the application link provided below. (Copy and paste the tag without the quotes if needed)
  • During the collaboration period, the “Piapro Official Collaboration Wanted” (募集中のピアプロ公式コラボ) tag is displayed in the tag selection field on the new post screen. All you have to do is select and apply the relevant tag when submitting your entry.
  • Please note the chosen artwork may be modified before being finalized for use in Snow Miku 2022.

-> Click Here To Begin Submission Application <-

If submitted correctly, your artwork should appear on the collaboration’s list of artwork entries. If you forgot to submit your artwork design without licenses, you will need to delete your post and try again, as the license cannot be modified afterwards.

Good luck to all participants!

> Snow Miku 2021 Collaboration Detail
> Snow Miku Official Site

Mar 112021
 

Good Smile Company has opened preorders today for a new Hatsune Miku POP UP PARADE figure, based on the 3DCG model created by YYB!

The very first figure of YYB’s 3DCG model “YYB Type Hatsune Miku”.
POP UP PARADE is a new series of figures that are easy to collect with affordable prices and speedy releases! Each figure typically stands around 17-18cm in height and the series features a vast selection of characters from popular anime and game series, with many more to be added soon!

Presenting a POP UP PARADE figure of YYB’s 3DCG model “YYB Type Hatsune Miku”. This version of Miku features an slender, mature look. The use of translucent parts across the figure provide an extra level of detail not to be missed. Be sure to add her to your collection!

▼POP UP PARADE Special Site
https://special.goodsmile.info/popupparade/en/

The figure is priced at 3,900 JPY ($38 USD) from Good Smile Company’s online shop, and will be available to order until April 8th, 2021 at 12:00 PM JST. She’s expected to ship out in July 2021. Check out these other online shops as well!

> Tokyo Otaku Mode
> CDJapan
> Amiami
> Hobby Search

Mar 092021
 

Illustration by Asahi Kuroi

Happy Miku day to Hatsune Miku and all Miku fans! Today is March 9th, or as we Miku fans like to call it, “Miku Day”! It’s our yearly day to show our appreciation for Hatsune Miku, a celebration that started to take off in 2010 thanks to “39” playing a pun on both “Thank You” and “Miku” in Japanese.

We’ll share a few of our favorite illustrations from throughout the day, but feel free to check out more yourself with the #ミクの日 tag on both Pixiv and Twitter!

Continue reading »
Feb 282021
 

Illustration by かんざきひろ


Editor Note: We know we’re late on publishing this one to the site. Work schedules and waiting for news verification both played a factor, but here it is.

A new Hatsune Miku animated series, as well as a webtoons and comics, are currently in the early stages of development. The news officially broke via an exclusive posted by Deadline, and was later confirmed by Graphic India, one of the partners in the series creation.

Crypton Future Media, Graphic India and Carlin West Agency are working together on the new series and comics. Sharad Devarajan and Carlin West and a team of writers will be creating the series, while the development will be overseen by CEO Hiroyuki Itoh of Crypton Future Media.

Hatsune Miku fans will be able to experience an original story with live-action, animation and music. How the “live-action” part is planned to be implemented will be interesting to see.

News regarding a release schedule is not available at this time, but we’ll likely hear more throughout the year.

Via Deadline & Graphic India

Feb 232021
 

Apple Japan has released a new Mac commercial today with the theme of “Made in Japan by using Mac”. The commercial showcases various creations from prefectures across Japan that use Mac computers to bring their projects to reality, and one spot in the middle of the commercial stands out to us: Hatsune Miku makes her spotlight appearance in an Apple Mac commercial for the first time!

Starting at 0:19 into the commercial, Miku makes her surprise appearance with the text “北海度でつくる” (Made in Hokkaido). This brief 1 second scene features a clip taken from the MV for the Miku Expo 5th anniversary theme song “Lucky☆Orb“. This of course is a nod towards Crypton Future Media, which is based in Sapporo. The MV animator, Kasoku Sato, is based in Tokyo.

EDIT: It has been mentioned the commercial is 39 seconds long, which may also be making a reference to Miku. Could be coincidence, but still cool to know!

All in all, it’s exciting to see Hatsune Miku included in a promotion by yet another major tech company! What do you think of Hatsune Miku collaborating with tech companies, and are there any other collaborations you hope to see happen? Feel free to discuss below!